Mike Wolfe: ”I held Frank’s hand as he took his last breath”

Mike Wolfe may have had a rocky patch with his longtime friend Frank Fritz, but they found their way back to each other just before Frank’s tragic passing.

Now, the American Pickers star reveals the heart-wrenching final moments they shared as Frank took his last breath.

American Pickers with Mike and Frank was more than just a TV show; it was a one-of-a-kind journey that brought viewers right into the heart of America’s hidden treasures. The chemistry between these two childhood friends from Iowa made every episode feel like you were part of their adventure.

Each episode wasn’t just entertaining — it was educational, bringing something new and surprising every time. For so many of us, Mike and Frank’s dynamic and easy banter became a comfort, something you could binge-watch and feel right at home. Without Frank, the show simply wasn’t the same.

The series showed the two “pickers” traveling across the USA, searching for valuable antiques and collectibles in unexpected places. It captivated millions, quickly becoming one of the most popular shows on television.

In recent years, much focus has been on the complex nature of their friendship.

While fans have long cherished their bond, the relationship had its ups and downs.

At one point, Wolfe admitted he hadn’t spoken to Frank for two years, due to a rift.

By his side til the end

Thankfully, it seems they were able to mend their friendship before Fritz’s passing on September 30. Speaking with People magazine, Wolfe now reveals how he rushed to be by Fritz’s side before his death.

”I got the call that he wasn’t doing well. I just feel blessed that I was able to get there,” Wolfe said.

The 60-year-old TV personality shared that he was there for his friend during his final moments, sitting by his bedside alongside Fritz’s mother and his late mother’s best friend, Annette.

”I was there for about an hour before he passed, and I was holding his hand and rubbing his chest when he took his last breath. I took my fingers and I closed his eyes.”

Mike Wolfe’s last words to Frank

For everyone who cherished their friendship, hearing such a detailed account of Fritz’s final moments is, of course, deeply heartbreaking.

Yet there’s something truly beautiful about Wolfe sharing these memories. And when you hear his last words to his old friend, it’s hard not to get emotional, especially knowing all they went through together.

”I just told him that I wasn’t mad at him and that I loved him and that I cared about him so much,” Wolfe said. ”And then when I could see that he was struggling, I just said, ‘Just go find your mom. Go find her right now. Just go find her.’”

In the interview with People, Wolfe took the opportunity to pay tribute to his friend.

They met in middle school and quickly formed a bond. Wolfe recalled, “He was an extremely hard worker. He was like no one I’d ever met in my whole life.”

In 2021, it was announced that Fritz would be leaving American Pickers after a decade on the hit series. Fritz said the decision was not his own, and that he was pushed out by the network after a back surgery.

Why did Frank leave American Pickers

“I didn’t leave the show,” he told The Sun at the time. “I finished shooting and then I had a little back surgery and the pandemic came.”

He also suggested that his co-host’s ego was a factor, saying the show had “tilted towards him 1,000 percent.” “I haven’t talked to Mike in two years,” Fritz said. “He knew my back was messed up, but he didn’t call me up and ask how I was doing. That’s just how it is.”

In July 2022, Fritz was hospitalized from a stroke. In 2023, he had a tearful reunion with Mike Wolfe, and the two resolved their purported feud. However, Fritz declined an offer to rejoin American Pickers, deciding to focus on his health.

It’s clear that the two former co-hosts have remained friendly since then, and Wolfe was by his side til the end.

“We’ve been on countless trips and shared so many miles and I feel blessed that I was there by his side when he took one last journey home,” Wolfe wrote on Instagram. “I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know [you’re] in a better place.”

RIP Frank. Thank you for the entertainment and enthusiasm you shared with us via American Pickers. Condolences to all who love and miss you. Thank you for the memories.